By Gordon Williams Fire Prevention Week this year runs from October 6 through October 12. That is the time each year set aside by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to get us thinking about the dangers of fires in the home. The U.S. averages 350,000 home fires a year, and those fires kill 2,500 … Continue reading Make a plan to make the most of Fire Prevention Week
Why seniors need an age-appropriate disaster plan
September 3, 2019. Kissimmee, Florida. Geraldine Riley is a shelter resident at the St Cloud Senior Center. She and her husband, Patrick Riley, came to the shelter on Sunday to escape the expected high winds and torrential rain of Hurricane Dorian. The shelter at the senior center is for residents of Good Samaritan Retirement Village. … Continue reading Why seniors need an age-appropriate disaster plan
A budget-minded strategy for building a home survival kit
By Gordon Williams September is National Preparedness Month, and the key to being prepared is having a home survival kit that will help you and your family ride out whatever disasters come your way. To help build a survival kit on a budget, we turned to Red Cross volunteer Deb Crosby. In her working years, … Continue reading A budget-minded strategy for building a home survival kit
Tips for staying safe on the lake
The lure of our region's open waters is real, it's also a very real danger for those who wade in unprepared. Pay attention to the weather forecast and pack proper gear to help ensure a safe day on the lake. Here are a few additional tips we hope you will read through, then visit this … Continue reading Tips for staying safe on the lake
Shake-out and brush-up on your tsunami survival skills
By Gordon Williams The number one reason for taking part in the Great Washington Shake-Out on October 17, 2019 is to practice and perfect your earthquake survival skills of drop, cover and hold on. Washington State is earthquake country and the quicker you can respond when the ground shakes, the better your chances of escaping … Continue reading Shake-out and brush-up on your tsunami survival skills
How to turn a scary earthquake into a positive learning experience
By Gordon Williams The earthquake which struck the Seattle/Snohomish County area early in the morning of July 12, 2019 was scary enough — the strongest quake to strike the area in 18 years. Still, the Washington Military Department — parent agency of the state’s Department of Emergency Management — wants us to see the temblor … Continue reading How to turn a scary earthquake into a positive learning experience
Why I Volunteer: Alira Tang
I have a passion for sharing my positive volunteer experiences with the Red Cross, especially in my community. It is easy to talk about the work I have done with the Red Cross, I especially enjoy sharing my experiences where I have been out in the community helping. I recently attended a South Asia community … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Alira Tang
What you can do to prevent wildfires
By Gordon Williams A firecracker, tossed by a 15-year old boy, started the fire that ravaged the Columbia River Gorge in the spring of 2018--burning for three months and scorching 50,000 acres. At almost the same time, a trash fire, near Yakima WA, not properly extinguished, burned 15 acres and damaged a building. Taken together, … Continue reading What you can do to prevent wildfires
America’s highest-risk volcanoes are right here in Washington
By Gordon Williams The U.S. Geological Survey recently published a new ranking of the nation’s most dangerous volcanoes, and Washington State is arguably at the top. The latest ranking updates a 2005 report, listing Kilauea in Hawaii as the most threatening volcano, followed by Washington State’s Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier. Also in Washington … Continue reading America’s highest-risk volcanoes are right here in Washington
Preparing for a regional wildfire response
By Gordon Williams Before this year is over, Red Cross teams in Washington and adjacent Idaho will have aided victims of hundreds of disasters big and small — home fires, wildfires, floods, storms and more. It is the responsibility of the Red Cross to make sure each of those teams is fully trained, equipped and … Continue reading Preparing for a regional wildfire response
American Red Cross NW Region 